Unfortunately it was getting dark 30min. after arrival (december). I managed still to take some pictures in a school abandoned suddenly since 1986.

http://www.4me2.com/photogallery/chernobyl

Hans

Very nice stuff. It must be interesting to visit the Exclusion Zone. I imagine there are many, many abandoned buildings like this one.

Thanks for sharing.

<Chas>

Yes, very interesting indeed.

Газетa = Gazette (that much I do know ;-)

Very interesting....I am jealous....can you tour other buildings?

Sadly and ironically, the newspaper title on the second image is talking about peace being the main purpose of the USSR. Great shots, they bring back memories.

whoa.

awesome stuff Hans! How difficult is it to get permission to visit there? That is a trip I would love to do and shoot! Thanks for sharing!

Hans,

The photos & subjects are really great - Mother Earth reclaiming herself is even greater!

Well,
It actually isn't difficult to make a tour. This is commercially organized from Kiev. I think it is about 2 hours driving from the Ukrainian capital.
I heard that 'normally' people have to stay on the roads during the trips, in order to prevent contamination danger, but I think that's a trick to keep the troops close and not to waste too much time.

Personally I think what is most dangerous is that these buildings haven't been taken care of during 23 years. You never know what might collapse.

I was very lucky that my Belarussian friend could arrange a private visit, I was free to go where I wanted. We were driving from Minsk (Belarus) over Gomel (city in Belarus which suffered most from the radioactive cloud) to Chernobyl.
There is a forbidden zone about 40km from the power station, then another control post about 10km from the station.

I really hope to go back in summer time early enough to visit the place. To be honest, the feeling is quite creepy when I was completely alone on the 4th floor in some building where trees were growing inside and broken glass everywhere while it was getting dark.

But the place is for me a unique natural museum. I still want to visit some places like hotels, swimming pools, factories...
I heard there is some basic hotel not too far from Chernobyl. In principle you could spend there 2 days. My experience is that you can get a lot when you pay. People are so used to get pocket money (50-100usd).

If ever I can organize a trip well in advance then I will mention it on this site so we could go with a small group.
Hans